System and method for efficient transfer of image data to a service provider

ABSTRACT

A system and method for efficient transfer of image data to a service provider comprises a digital image source, an image pump, and a communication path to the service provider. The digital image source may be connected to the image pump using any appropriate communication configuration. Digital image data from the digital image source is transferred to the image pump, which may format the digital image data to conform to requirements of the particular service provider. The image pump may also attach customer account information and user service selections to the digital image data. The image pump may then send the digital image data and any attached information to the service provider. The service provider responsively may perform the requested services and return a finished product to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority in, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/552,815 entitled “System And Method ForEfficient Transfer Of Image Data To A Service Provider” that was filedon Apr. 20, 2000, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,909. This applicationis also a continuation of, and claims priority in, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/196,863 entitled “System And Method ForEfficient Transfer Of Image Data To A Service Provider” that was filedon Aug. 4, 2005. The foregoing related cases are commonly assigned, andare hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND SECTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to digital imaging systems, and relatesmore particularly to a system and method for efficient transfer of imagedata to a service provider.

2. Description of the Background Art

Implementing an effective and efficient method for transferring imagedata to a service provider is a significant consideration of designersand manufacturers of digital imaging systems. Captured images from somedigital cameras are now able to produce photographic prints that arecomparable in quality to prints produced from traditional film cameras.However, unlike traditional film processing, there is currentlyinsufficient infrastructure for simple and low-cost processing ofdigital image data. Digital image data is not necessarily embodied in apermanent physical medium, as opposed to a roll of film that must bephysically transported to a service provider for developing andgenerating photographic prints. An exposed roll of film typically may bedeposited with a service provider by hand or by mail.

Digital image data, like any other type of digital data, may be easilycopied from one storage medium to another, and may be transmitted overnumerous types of communication channels. However, many people may notbe technically sophisticated enough to utilize digital image data toproduce photographic prints. Other people may not be willing to investin expensive equipment and/or software for generating high qualityphotographic prints from digital image data.

Traditional film processing services are available in a wide variety oflocations, from specialty photography retailers to supermarkets anddiscount stores. Currently there are no equivalents to these convenientpoints of access to service providers for the processing of digitalimage data. Some potential users of devices that capture digital imagesmay be discouraged from taking advantage of the unique features ofdigital images because of the insufficient infrastructure for processingdigital image data. Thus, implementing an effective and efficient systemand method for transferring digital image data to a service providerremains a significant consideration of designers and manufacturers ofdigital imaging systems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method aredisclosed for transferring image data to a service provider. In oneembodiment, the invention includes a digital image source, an imagepump, and a communication path to the service provider who provides anyrequested services such as producing photographic prints. The digitalimage source may communicate with the image pump using any appropriatecommunication configuration, including wireless connections, hard-wiredphysical connections, and various forms of removable storage.

Digital image data from the digital image source is preferablytransferred to the image pump. The digital image source may be anyappropriate device, including a digital camera or camcorder. The digitalimage data may also include other types of information, such as audiodata and/or text data. For example, the audio data and/or text data maybe attached to images as captions or comments.

In one embodiment, the image pump may format the digital image data toconform to requirements of the service provider. The image pump may alsoattach customer account information to the digital image data. In oneembodiment, the image pump displays the images to the user who may thenselect images for processing and/or special services such asenlargements. Any required processing instructions may be attached tothe image data. In another embodiment, a one-button operation allows theuser to simply and quickly transfer image data to the service provider.

The image pump then may send the digital image data and any attachedinformation to the service provider. The image pump may be connected tothe service provider using any appropriate communication configuration,including wireless connections, hard-wired physical connections, and anyappropriate form of removable storage. The service provider then mayperform the required services and return the finished product to theuser. The present invention thus efficiently and effectively transfersimage data to a service provider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for one embodiment of a system for efficienttransfer of image data to a service provider, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an input section of the system of FIG. 1,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an output section of the system of FIG. 1,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the digital camera ofFIG. 1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5( a) is an elevation view for one embodiment of the image pump ofFIG. 1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5( b) is a perspective view for one embodiment of the image pump ofFIG. 1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the image pump of FIG.1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the digital camera andthe image pump of FIG. 1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of method steps for efficiently transferring imagedata to a service provider, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of method steps for establishing customer accountinformation with a service provider, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an improvement in digital imagingsystems. The following description is presented to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is providedin the context of a patent application and its requirements. Variousmodifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may beapplied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiment shown, but is to be accordedthe widest scope consistent with the principles and features describedherein.

A system and method for efficient transfer of image data to a serviceprovider includes a digital image source, a device that acts as aninterface between the digital image source and the service provider,which is termed an image pump hereinafter, and a communication path tothe service provider. The digital image source may be connected to theimage pump using any appropriate communication configuration. Digitalimage data from the digital image source is transferred to the imagepump, which may format the digital image data to conform to requirementsof the particular service provider. The image pump may also attachcustomer account information and user service selections to the digitalimage data. In other embodiments, formatting of image data and attachingof customer account information may be performed by the digital imagesource. The image pump then may send the digital image data and anyattached information to the service provider. The service providerresponsively may perform the requested services and return a finishedproduct to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram for one embodiment of a system100 for efficient transfer of image data to a service provider is shown,according to the present invention. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, system 100includes, but is not limited to, a digital camera 110, an image pump120, and a photography service provider 130. Although a digital camera110 is shown in FIG. 1 and discussed throughout the detaileddescription, other sources of digital image data, for examplecamcorders, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless telephones,are equally within the scope of the present invention.

Image data that may be sent to service provider 130 for processing isnot limited to data that is captured by the user. For example, a usermay download image data from the Internet using a PDA, and utilize imagepump 120 to send the image data to service provider 130 for processing.In another embodiment of the present invention, an analog image source,for example an analog video camcorder, provides an image signal to imagepump 120, which then digitizes the image signal to produce digital imagedata.

In accordance with the present invention, image pump 120 allows forsimple and low-cost transfer of images from digital camera 110 toservice provider 130. Digital image data from digital camera 110 may betransferred to image pump 120 via path 200. The digital image data mayalso include audio data and/or text data that may be attached to digitalimages as captions or comments. Image pump 120 may then forward thedigital image data to service provider 130 via path 300. Serviceprovider 130 then responsively performs any requested processing andreturns the final product to a user of system 100. The implementationand functionality of image pump 120 are further discussed below inconjunction with FIGS. 6-8.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a diagram of an input section of the system ofFIG. 1 is shown, according to embodiments of the present invention. Inone embodiment, digital camera 110 is connected to image pump 120 via awireless connection 210. Digital images may be transferred from digitalcamera 110 to image pump 120 via wireless connection 210. Wirelessconnection 210 may be implemented as any appropriate wirelesscommunication configuration, including infrared or radio frequencytechnologies.

In an alternate embodiment, digital camera 110 is connected to imagepump 120 via a hard-wired physical connection 220. Digital images maythen be transferred from digital camera 110 to image pump 120 viahard-wired connection 220. Connection 220 may be implemented as anyappropriate hard-wired connection for the transfer of digital data,including, but not limited to, IEEE-1394 or Universal Serial Bus (USB).In another embodiment, digital images captured by digital camera 110 arestored in a form of removable storage 230. Although a floppy disc isshown in FIG. 2, any appropriate form of removable storage may be used,including magnetic media (e.g., floppy discs), optical media (e.g.,compact disc, DVD), magneto-optical media, and solid-state media.Digital images may be stored in removable storage 230, which may then beinput to image pump 120. Image pump 120 may then retrieve the digitalimages from removable storage 230 for further handling or processing.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a diagram of an output section of the system ofFIG. 1 is shown, according to embodiments of the present invention. Inone embodiment, image pump 120 is connected to service provider 130 viaa wireless connection 310. Digital images and other data may betransferred from image pump 120 to service provider 130 via wirelessconnection 310. Wireless connection 310 may be implemented as anyappropriate wireless communication configuration, including infrared orradio frequency technologies.

In another embodiment, image pump 120 is connected to service provider130 via an Ethernet connection 320. Image pump 120 may alternately beconnected to service provider 130 via a modem (not shown) and a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) connection 330. Although only twoembodiments of hard-wired connections are shown, other appropriateembodiments of hard-wired connections are within the scope of thepresent invention. Digital images and other data may then be transferredfrom image pump 120 to service provider 130 via Ethernet connection 320or PSTN connection 330 for processing.

In a further embodiment, image pump 120 may store digital images andother data on a form of removable storage 340. Although a floppy disc isshown in FIG. 3, other forms of removable storage, such as compact discsand memory cards, are within the scope of the present invention.Removable storage 340 may be physically transported to the photographyservice provider 130, which may then retrieve the images and other datafrom removable storage 340 for processing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram for one embodiment of digitalcamera 110 of FIG. 1 is shown, according to the present invention.Digital camera 110 includes, but is not limited to, a lens 412, a filter414, an image sensor 416, a timing generator 418, an analog signalprocessor 420, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 422, a digitalsignal processor (DSP) 424, one or more motors 428, a computer 426, andan interface device 430. Computer 426 typically includes a processor anda memory.

Image sensor 416 captures an image via light passing through lens 412and filter 414, and impacting image sensor 416 along optical path 410.Image sensor 416 responsively generates a raw image signal thatrepresents the captured image. The raw image signal is output to analogsignal processor 420, A/D converter 422, and DSP 424. DSP 424 outputscontrol signals to analog signal processor 420, timing generator 418,and motor 428. From DSP 424, the image data passes to computer 426 forstorage and possibly further processing, for example adjusting the imagesize or color.

Interface device 430 allows digital camera 400 to output image data fromcomputer 426 to image pump 120 via path 200. Interface device 430 may beimplemented to correspond to a particular embodiment of path 200. Forinstance, if path 200 is a USB hard-wired connection, then interfacedevice 430 may format the image data to conform to a USB standard. Inanother embodiment, interface device 430 may be implemented as aremovable storage drive, whereby digital images may be stored on a formof removable storage for transfer to image pump 120.

Referring now to FIG. 5( a), an elevation view for one embodiment of theimage pump 120 of FIG. 1 is shown, according to the present invention.In FIG. 5( a), image pump 120 is embodied in a console with atouchscreen 512. A user may connect digital camera 110 to image pump120. Although a hard-wired connection is shown in FIG. 5( a), anyappropriate connectivity configuration is within the scope of thepresent invention.

Image pump 120 receives digital image data from digital camera 110, andmay display each individual image on touchscreen 512. The user may thentouch the displayed images on touchscreen 512 to select various imagesfor various types of processing. For example, a user may desire multipleprints of one image and only one print of the others, or may desirelarge-sized prints of selected images. The user's selections arepreferably included with the image data as an attachment before theimages are forwarded to service provider 130 via path 300. Although atouchscreen is shown in FIG. 5( a), other types of input devices, suchas a keyboard or a mouse, are within the scope of the present invention.

A user may also provide images to image pump 120 on a form of removablestorage 520. Removable storage 520 may be inserted into image pump 120,and image pump 120 may then retrieve images stored on removable storage520. Users may then select the services desired by indicating theirchoices to image pump 120 via touchscreen 512.

In another embodiment of the present invention, digital camera 110 isconfigured to allow the user to input processing selections. Thus, imagepump 120 may receive image data, user selections, and/or other data fromdigital camera 110. Image pump 120 may present the user's selections ontouchscreen 512 and prompt the user to modify or accept the currentselections before sending the data to service provider 130.

Referring now to FIG. 5( b), a perspective view for one embodiment ofthe image pump 120 of FIG. 1 is shown, according to the presentinvention. In FIG. 5( b), image pump 120 is embodied as a unit with asingle button 532 for user operation of image pump 120. Although abutton is shown in FIG. 5(b), any appropriate means for user operation,such as a switch, are within the scope of the present invention. In theFIG. 5( b) embodiment, a user may connect digital camera 110 to imagepump 120. Although a hard-wired connection is shown in FIG. 5( b), anyappropriate connectivity configuration is within the scope of thepresent invention. Similar to the FIG. 5( a) embodiment, a user may alsoprovide digital image data to image pump 120 using a form of removablestorage 540.

Once a user establishes a connection between digital camera 110 andimage pump 120, a connection path 300 to service provider 130 may beestablished. The user may then depress button 532 to initiate a transferof digital images from digital camera 110 to service provider 130. Inthe FIG. 5( b) embodiment, transfer of image data is simplified by aone-button operation that may be performed by a user. However, in thisembodiment, low cost and simplicity of operation may limit serviceoptions selectable by the user.

Although only two physical embodiments of image pump 120 are shown inFIGS. 5( a) and 5(b), other embodiments are within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, image pump 120 may also be implementedin a general purpose computer, a voice-activated module, or in a digitalcamera device.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram for one embodiment of the imagepump 120 of FIG. 1 is shown, according to the present invention. In theFIG. 6 embodiment, image pump 120 includes, but is not limited to, aninput interface 612, a processor 614, an output interface 616, an imagebuffer 618, a memory 620, and a bus 630. Memory 620 preferably includes,but is not limited to, an image pump manager 622 and customer accountinformation 624.

As described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, image data may betransferred to image pump 120 via path 200. Input interface 612preferably conforms to the configuration of the implemented embodimentof path 200. Path 200 may include more than one communicationconfiguration, for example a hard-wired connection and a removablestorage drive. Output interface 616 preferably conforms to theconfiguration of the implemented embodiment of path 300. Path 300 mayalso include more than one communication configuration.

Manipulation of digital images by image pump 120 may preferably becontrolled by image pump manager 622 in conjunction with processor 614.Image pump manager 622 preferably retrieves digital images from digitalcamera 110 and stores them into image buffer 618. Image pump manager 622may also display the images on a display device, for example touchscreen512 (FIG. 5). Image pump manager 622 may also determine any userselections and/or instructions regarding specific services desired. Anyuser selections and/or instructions may be forwarded to service provider130 with the images.

Image pump manager 622 may then send the images from image buffer 618 toservice provider 130 via output interface 616 and path 300. Image pumpmanager 622 may also send other information to service provider 130, forexample customer account information 624 and any user processingselections. Image pump manager 622 preferably formats the image data toconform to a format required by service provider 130.

In another embodiment, image pump manager 622 may be configured toretrieve images and other data from a form of removable storage (notshown) that is inserted into image pump 120. Data may be retrieved fromthe removable storage and stored in image buffer 618, then the removablestorage may be removed from image pump 120. Image pump manager 622 thenprocesses the image data as described above.

In another embodiment of image pump 120, image buffer 618 is notutilized. A form of removable storage containing digital images or otherdata may be inserted into image pump 120. Image pump manager 622 maythen send the images from the removable storage to service provider 130via output interface 616 and path 300. The removable storage remains inimage pump 120 until the images are sent to service provider 130. Imagepump manager 622 also preferably sends customer account information 624and any user selections and instructions to service provider 130.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram for one embodiment of thedigital camera 110 and the image pump 120 of FIG. 1 is shown, accordingto the present invention. In the FIG. 7 embodiment, digital camera 110includes, but is not limited to, a processor 712, customer accountinformation 714, images 716, and an input/output (I/O) interface 718.Image pump 120 includes, but is not limited to, an input/output (I/O)interface 722, an image pump manager 724, an image buffer 726, and anoutput interface 728.

In the FIG. 7 embodiment, image pump 120 is a passive device. Image pumpmanager 724 is a software module that is retrieved and executed byprocessor 712 in digital camera 110. In another embodiment, image pumpmanager 724 may reside in a memory of digital camera 110. Images 716captured by digital camera 110 are forwarded to image pump 120 accordingto the instructions of image pump manager 724. Image pump manager 724may also provide instructions to fetch customer account information 714and send customer account information 714 to service provider 130 alongwith images 716. Alternately, customer account information 714 may bestored in image pump 120.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, image pump 120 maybe implemented inside digital camera 110. In this embodiment, digitalcamera 110, including image pump 120, would connect directly to serviceprovider 130 via path 300.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart of method steps for efficientlytransferring image data to a service provider is shown, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, a userhas previously established a customer account with service provider 130.One embodiment of method steps for establishing a customer account isdiscussed below in conjunction with FIG. 9.

Initially, in step 810, digital camera 110 generates digital image data;however, other sources of image data are within the scope of the presentinvention. Next, in step 812, the digital image data is transferred toimage pump 120. The image data may be transferred via any appropriatecommunication configuration. In step 814, image pump 120 attachescustomer account information to the image data. Image pump 120 may alsodetermine any specific processing selections made by the user, and thenattach this information to the images.

Then, in step 816, image pump 120 transfers the image data and accountinformation to service provider 130. In step 818, service provider 130checks the image data and account information for accuracy. Serviceprovider 130, in step 820, then determines whether the data isacceptable (OK). For example, service provider 130 may check thecustomer account information against its records, and check the formatof the image data. The data may not be acceptable if the customeraccount information has errors, or if the image data is not in anacceptable format. If the data is not acceptable, then, in step 822,service provider 130 requests image pump 120 to correct any errors orinaccuracies and resend the data. The FIG. 8 method then continues withstep 816.

In step 820, if the data is acceptable, then, in step 824, serviceprovider 130 preferably provides requested services. These servicestypically may include producing a print of each digital image, and mayalso include multiple prints of selected images or enlargements ofselected images. Then, in step 826, the final product is returned to thecustomer, typically via traditional channels such as mail or expressdelivery services.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of method steps for establishingcustomer account information with a service provider is shown, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. Initially, in step 910, auser or customer contacts service provider 130. This contact may be madevia telephone, the Internet, or any other appropriate communicationsystem. In step 912, the customer supplies information to serviceprovider 130 to establish customer account information. The customeraccount information typically includes the customer's name, address, anaccount number, and billing information, such as a credit card number.

Then, in step 914, service provider 130 sends the customer accountinformation to the customer. The information may be sent over anInternet connection directly into image pump 120, or may be sent to thecustomer via mail, email, a telephone call, or any other appropriateform of communication.

Then, in step 916, the customer account information is stored. Thecustomer account information may be stored in image pump 120, digitalcamera 110, or in a form of removable storage. The customer accountinformation, if sent over an Internet connection to image pump 120, maybe saved directly into a memory contained in image pump 120. In anotherembodiment, the user stores the customer account information into imagepump 120, digital camera 110, or removable storage via any appropriatemeans, such as a keyboard or speech-recognition module. Alternatively,the customer account information from service provider 130 may be sentto the user embodied in a form of removable storage that may be insertedinto image pump 120.

The invention has been explained above with reference to a preferredembodiment. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of this disclosure. For example, the present invention mayreadily be implemented using configurations and techniques other thanthose described in the preferred embodiment above. Additionally, thepresent invention may effectively be used in conjunction with systemsother than the one described above as the preferred embodiment.Therefore, these and other variations upon the preferred embodiments areintended to be covered by the present invention, which is limited onlyby the appended claims.

1. A system for transferring image data to a data destination,comprising: a source device configured to provide said image data; andan image manager coupled to said source device for transferring saidimage data from said source device to said data destination.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said source device is implemented as a digitalcamera that includes said image manager.
 3. The system of claim 1wherein said image manager controls a wireless transmission procedurefor transferring said image data from said source device to said datadestination.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said source device isInternet-enabled for transferring said image data over an Internetnetwork.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said image manager wirelesslytransfers said image data to said data destination over a distributedelectronic network for sharing with one or more other device users thatare coupled to said distributed electronic network.
 6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said data destination performs photo finishing functionsto produce photographic prints of said image data.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said image manager is further configured to send audiodata from said source device to said data destination.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said image manager is further configured to send textdata from said source device to said data destination.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said image manager configures said image data toconform to a format required by said data destination.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said image manager transfers customer accountinformation to said data destination.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid source device includes a touchscreen for displaying said image datato a system user for making user selections with said touchscreen. 12.The system of claim 1, wherein said image manager is configured todetermine user selections regarding said image data, said image managertransferring said user selections to said data destination, said userselections including processing preferences and transmission parametersfor said image data.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said sourcedevice is implemented as a portable Internet-enabled imaging device,said source device having a data attachment capability for attachingtext data and audio data to said image data, said text data and saidaudio data including user commentary information regarding said imagedata.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein said source device includes aprocessor device that executes an image manager program to presentindividual images from said image data on a local display device forviewing by a system user, said system user using a local input device toselect one or more desired images from said individual images foruploading to said data destination, said system user also utilizing saidimage manager program to attach specific user instructions to said oneor more desired images for a subsequent utilization by said datadestination.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein said source deviceincludes a processor device that executes an image manager program toattach customer account information to said image data for a subsequentutilization by said data destination, said customer account informationincluding a system user name, a system user address, a system useraccount number, and system user billing information.
 16. The system ofclaim 1 wherein a system user initially contacts said data destinationto supply system user information, said data destination responsivelygenerating customer account information and sending said customeraccount information to said system user, who then locally stores saidcustomer account information in an electronic format for access by saidimage manager for attaching to said image data prior to uploading saidimage data to said data destination.
 17. The system of claim 16 whereinsaid data destination analyzes said image data and said customer accountinformation for accuracy and format errors to determine whether saidimage data and said customer account information are acceptable afterbeing wirelessly transferred from said source device, said datadestination checking said image data for formatting errors and comparingsaid customer account information with local customer informationrecords for account errors.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein said datadestination requests said image manager to retransmit said image dataand said customer account information if one of said formatting errorsand said account errors are detected.
 19. The system of claim 1 whereinsaid image manager includes an image manager program that is initiallycreated as an integral part of said image manager to include all networkconfiguration information required for transferring said image data fromsaid source device to said data destination
 20. The system of claim 1wherein said source device is implemented as a personal digitalassistant device or a cellular telephone device.